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Kevin De Bruyne announces Manchester City exit after 10 trophy-laden years - 'The best chapter'
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Updated 04/04/2025 at 16:43 GMT+1
Club legend Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave Manchester City this summer. In a statement released on Friday lunchtime, the playmaker announced that he will end the "best chapter" of his career, with six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League crown among his medal haul. Pep Guardiola called De Bruyne "one of the greatest" in the country and said he deserved a statue at the Etihad Stadium.
‘One of the greatest’ - Guardiola says De Bruyne’s Man City exit a ‘sad day’
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Kevin De Bruyne is bringing the curtain down on a legendary Manchester City career, announcing he is leaving the club after 10 years at the end of the season.
The Belgian midfielder arrived at Etihad Stadium from Wolfsburg in August 2015 for a reported fee of £55 million and has so far made 413 appearances for the club.
De Bruyne has scored 106 goals for City across all competitions, winning 16 trophies, including a historic treble during the 2022/23 campaign.
The 33-year-old made the announcement in an emotional post on social media.
"Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading," read the statement.
"So I'll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.
"Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here - and you deserve to hear it from me first.
"Football led me to all of you - and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life.
"This City. This club. These people... gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what - we won everything.
"Whether we like it or not, it's time to say goodbye."
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In total, De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups and two Community Shields during his time with City.
He could still add one more trophy to the collection this term, with Pep Guardiola's side already through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they will face Nottingham Forest.
De Bruyne added that Manchester will always be his home and thanked the club and its fans for their support.
"Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family," he added.
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"Manchester will forever be on our kids' passports - and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
"This will always be our HOME. We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.
"Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let's enjoy these last moments together!"
Pep Guardiola: De Bruyne 'one of the greatest' in country
Guardiola labelled De Bruyne as one of the "greatest" and compared the Belgian's impact at Manchester City to club legends Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
"A sad day but a happy day for the fact that I had the pleasure personally to live this time with him," Guardiola said.
"What he gave us, all of us, with his humanity and his influence in our success in the last decade. Of course, part of us is leaving. When Vincent or Sergio or David left, these players have contributions.
"He's one of the greatest in this country. Always I have to be careful for the respect for the players that have played incredible roles, but there's no doubt he's one of the greatest for sure.
"The doors are open here for the rest of his life. He's part of this family, this club."
When asked if De Bruyne will have a statue built outside the Etihad Stadium, like Silva, Aguero and Kompany, Guardiola added: "I don't know. But I will bet a lot of money that it is going to happen, that's for sure. He deserves to be."
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